Hatchback ‘vans’ may have no greater capacity than the average
estate car, yet they are hugely desirable and sought after.
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For the second user who does not need huge load-carrying potential,
such as pizza delivery, security guard or courier, the hatchback is
a practical choice – cheap to run, comfortable and doesn’t fill up
the drive or block the light from the neighbour’s living
room.
Buyers look for a sensible mileage in line with the age, and for
the vehicle to be in overall good condition. High mileage is OK if
the condition is good, but lower mileage is much preferred. A
little cosmetic damage to paint and trim is acceptable, but more
serious body dings and scrapes suggest the van has been hardworked.
More often than not these can be repaired using SMART techniques at
the point of sale by your remarketing partner and generate an
excellent return for the investment.
Being small, hatchbacks can take brighter, jazzier colours than
larger vans. However, really fussy schemes will put off the used
buyer who obviously will want to brand it to his or her own
business requirements. It is worth considering vinyl decals if you
want to turn your van into a mobile billboard. These can be removed
at remarketing time and – combined with a good level of pre-sale
preparation – will leave a solid base colour for the next
owner.
While diesel is almost universal in the commercial market, the odd
petrol hatchback van will always do very well, because they are so
rare.
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By GlobalDataIn terms of specification, the higher the better as the second user
is likely to be a self-employed tradesperson or small-busi¬ness
owner. Air-con, metallic paint, alloy wheels, in-van-entertainment
and sat-nav will make the van much more saleable. A full service
history will add value.
Dos and don’ts:
- Do choose a high spec
- Do consider branding with vinyl decals
- Don’t let mileage get too high
- Don’t forget the service history
- Do repair any cosmetic damage
